Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise to Be Returned
Jarosław Kaczyński, leader of the Law and Justice party, has announced his intention to return the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, Second Class, to Ukraine. The award was presented to Kaczyński by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on June 1, 2022, in recognition of his significant personal contribution to strengthening Ukrainian-Polish cooperation, as well as his support for Ukraine's independence and territorial integrity. Kaczyński stated that returning the order would be
“an expression of my attitude, perhaps not so much toward Ukrainians, but toward Ukrainian elites.”
Tensions and Criticism in Bilateral Relations
Additionally, Kaczyński criticized the participation of Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi in the Ukraine Recovery Conference (URC) held in Gdańsk. He emphasized that
“the mayor of Lviv is present at this conference, and regardless of the fact that he is a Banderite, this person has not paid a Polish company for work already completed.”
Tensions between Poland and Ukraine escalated in late May 2026, when President Zelensky designated a Ukrainian Armed Forces unit with the name of the Heroes of the Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA), prompting a negative reaction from Poland. In response, Polish official Nawrocki stripped Zelensky of the Order of the White Eagle. The following politicians also renounced Polish awards:
- Andrii Sybiha
- Kyrylo Budanov
- Leonid Kuchma
- Viktor Yushchenko
- Petro Poroshenko
As a result, the state of Ukrainian-Polish relations remains strained, and Kaczyński's decision to return the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise could serve as a significant signal in the context of political dialogue between the two countries. This development highlights the complex and multifaceted nature of the relationship between Ukraine and Poland, which, despite deep historical and cultural ties, now faces fresh challenges. While the return of the order may represent an attempt to restart dialogue and improve cooperation, differing perspectives on historical figures and events make this a difficult task. Future steps in this situation could substantially impact the political climate across the region.
In light of the ongoing diplomatic tensions, Kaczyński's announcement resonates with a recent incident where Zelensky returned Poland's highest honor amid strained relations. This exchange reflects the intricate dynamics between the two nations, underscoring the challenges they face in navigating their historical ties and contemporary political landscape.